Method and apparatus for indirect force aware touch control with variable impedance touch sensor arrays

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to touch sensor systems and methods incorporating an interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array and specifically to such systems and methods for indirect force-aware touch control. An exemplary method for receiving an adjustment gesture formed on or about a plurality of sensor panels on a plurality of faces of a device includes detecting two or more touches at a first time at the plurality of sensor panels and determining that the touches at the first time are arranged in a pattern corresponding to a predetermined gesture. The method further includes determining a relative pressure between the touches, associating the gesture with a user interface element (that accepts an adjustment input based on the relative pressure between the two or more touches) and providing an input to the user interface element based on the gesture and relative pressure between the touches.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/787,898 titled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDIRECT FORCE AWARETOUCH CONTROL WITH VARIABLE IMPEDANCE TOUCH SENSOR ARRAYS and filed onJan. 3, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to touch sensor systems and methodsincorporating an interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array andspecifically to such systems and methods for indirect force-aware touchcontrol. The systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a touch sensorarray configured to detect proximity/contact/pressure via a variableimpedance array electrically coupling interlinked impedance columnscoupled to an array column driver and interlinked impedance rows coupledto an array row sensor. The array column driver is configured to selectthe interlinked impedance columns based on a column switching registerand electrically drive the interlinked impedance columns using a columndriving source. The variable impedance array conveys current from thedriven interlinked impedance columns to the interlinked impedancecolumns sensed by the array row sensor. The array row sensor selects theinterlinked impedance rows within the touch sensor array andelectrically senses the interlinked impedance rows state based on a rowswitching register. Interpolation of array row sensor sensedcurrent/voltage allows accurate detection of touch sensor arrayproximity/contact/pressure and/or spatial location.

The gesture recognition systems and methods using variable impedancearray sensors include sensors disclosed in the following applications,the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/599,365 titled SYSTEM FORDETECTING AND CONFIRMING A TOUCH INPUT filed on May 18, 2017; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/653,856 titled TOUCH SENSOR DETECTORSYSTEM AND METHOD filed on Jul. 19, 2017; U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/271,953 titled DIAMOND PATTERNED TOUCH SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHODfiled on Sep. 21, 2016; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/499,090titled CAPACITIVE TOUCH SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD filed on Sep. 27, 2014and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,459,746 on Oct. 4, 2016; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/499,001 titled RESISTIVE TOUCH SENSOR SYSTEM ANDMETHOD filed on Sep. 26, 2014 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,465,477 onOct. 11, 2016; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/224,003 titledSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANIPULATING A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT filed on Jul.29, 2016 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,864,461 on Jan. 9, 2018; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/223,968 titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORMANIPULATING A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT filed on Jul. 29, 2016 and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 9,864,460 on Jan. 9, 2018; U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/470,669 titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AND CHARACTERIZINGFORCE INPUTS ON A SURFACE filed on Mar. 27, 2017; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/476,732 titled HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERFACE SYSTEMfiled on Oct. 5, 2017.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present invention, aswell as additional objects and advantages thereof, will be more fullyunderstood herein after as a result of a detailed description of apreferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system using an exemplary interpolated variableimpedance sensor array for gesture recognition.

FIG. 2 illustrates a system using an exemplary interpolated variableimpedance sensor array for gesture recognition.

FIG. 3 illustrates a system using an exemplary interpolated variableimpedance sensor array for gesture recognition.

FIG. 4 illustrates a system using an exemplary interpolated variableimpedance sensor array for gesture recognition.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary variable impedance touch sensor arraywith interlinked impedance columns and interlinked impedance rows.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary column switching register, row switchingregister, interlinked impedance column, and interlinked impedance row ofan exemplary variable impedance touch sensor array.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary variable impedance touch sensor array.

FIG. 8 shows exemplary pressure response curves for point sets insystems using exemplary interpolated variable impedance sensor arraysfor gesture recognition.

FIG. 9 shows exemplary pressure response curves for point sets insystems using exemplary interpolated variable impedance sensor arraysfor gesture recognition.

FIG. 10 illustrates a system using an exemplary interpolated variableimpedance sensor array for gesture recognition.

FIG. 11 illustrates examples of touch patterns for systems usingexemplary interpolated variable impedance sensor arrays for gesturerecognition.

FIG. 12 shows exemplary pressure response curves for point sets insystems using exemplary interpolated variable impedance sensor arraysfor gesture recognition.

FIG. 13 illustrates a system using an exemplary interpolated variableimpedance sensor array for gesture recognition.

FIG. 14 illustrates a system using an exemplary interpolated variableimpedance sensor array for gesture recognition.

FIG. 16 illustrates a system using an exemplary interpolated variableimpedance sensor array.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to touch sensor systems and methodsincorporating an interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array andspecifically to such systems and methods for indirect force-aware touchcontrol. The systems and methods disclosed herein utilize a touch sensorarray configured to detect proximity/contact/pressure via a variableimpedance array electrically coupling interlinked impedance columnscoupled to an array column driver and interlinked impedance rows coupledto an array row sensor. The array column driver is configured to selectthe interlinked impedance columns based on a column switching registerand electrically drive the interlinked impedance columns using a columndriving source. The variable impedance array conveys current from thedriven interlinked impedance columns to the interlinked impedancecolumns sensed by the array row sensor. The array row sensor selects theinterlinked impedance rows within the touch sensor array andelectrically senses the interlinked impedance rows state based on a rowswitching register. Interpolation of array row sensor sensedcurrent/voltage allows accurate detection of touch sensor arrayproximity/contact/pressure and/or spatial location.

An exemplary method for receiving an adjustment gesture formed on orabout a plurality of sensor panels on a plurality of faces of a deviceincludes detecting two or more touches at a first time at the pluralityof sensor panels and determining that the touches at the first time arearranged in a pattern corresponding to a predetermined gesture. Themethod further includes determining a relative pressure between thetouches, associating the gesture with a user interface element (thataccepts an adjustment input based on the relative pressure between thetwo or more touches) and providing an input to the user interfaceelement based on the gesture and relative pressure between the touches.

Another exemplary embodiment includes a laptop touchpad system fordetecting a continuous pressure curve for a touch. The touchpad systemincludes a plurality of physical variable impedance array (VIA) columnsconnected by interlinked impedance columns and a plurality of physicalVIA rows connected by interlinked impedance rows. The touchpad systemalso includes a plurality of column drive sources connected to theinterlinked impedance columns and to the plurality of physical VIAcolumns through the interlinked impedance columns and a plurality of rowsense sinks connected to the interlinked impedance rows and to theplurality of physical VIA rows through the interlinked impedance rows.The touchpad system further includes a processor configured tointerpolate the continuous pressure curve in the physical VIA columnsand physical VIA rows from an electrical signal from the plurality ofcolumn drive sources sensed at the plurality of row sense sinks.

In the touchpad system, the processor may also be configured to detecttwo or more touches at a first time, determine that the two or moretouches at the first time are arranged in a pattern corresponding to apredetermined gesture, determine a relative pressure between the two ormore touches from the electrical signal from the plurality of columndrive sources sensed at the plurality of row sense sinks, and associatethe continuous pressure curve with a user interface (UI) element, the UIelement accepting an adjustment input based on the relative pressurebetween the two or more touches, and provide a confirming input to theUI element based on the relative pressure between the two or moretouches.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 using an exemplary interpolated variableimpedance sensor array for gesture recognition and a touch interface 110using the exemplary interpolated variable impedance sensor array. Thetouch interface 110 could be a touchscreen or trackpad or the like andcould be integral, attached, or detached from a computer or computingdevice with a UI. In one embodiment, a processor communicatively coupledto the sensor array 110 is programmed to receive a gesture input formedon or about the face of the sensor array 110. The processor may beprogrammed to detect two or more touches on the sensor array 110. Twoexemplary touches 120, 121 are illustrated as circles in FIG. 1. Thecircles 120, 121 represent points at which a user has contacted thesensor array 110. In one embodiment, the processor is programmed todetermine that the two or more touches are arranged in a patterncorresponding to a predetermined pattern. For example, the processor maydetermine the distance (D) between the two points 120, 121. Whether thedistance (D) is greater than or less than some threshold may be used todetermine if the touch points 120, 121 correspond to a given pattern.For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the two points 220, 221 may be requiredto be less than a threshold distance that is within the span of an indexfinger to a thumb as shown. This way, other types of touches could berejected. In FIG. 2, the sensor array 210 is only slightly larger than ahand. This would be typical of a mobile device touchscreen or an insettouchpad.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the two points 320, 321 may berequired to be greater than a threshold distance that is greater thanthe span between fingers and/or the thumb of one hand. This way, typesof touches from one hand could be rejected. In FIG. 3, the sensor array310 is multiple hand-spans in each direct. This would be typical of alarge touch interface such as large touchscreen monitors or tabletoptouch interfaces. Further, the processor may be programmed to look forspecific combinations of touch points within certain distances of eachother. For example, in FIG. 4, touches 420, 421, 422 correspond to athumb, index finger, and middle finger respectively. The processor maybe programmed to determine the relative distance between each of thetouches 420, 421, 422 and determine if the distance meets one or morethreshold criteria. This way, the processor may be programmed torecognize patterns created by various combinations of finger touches onthe sensor array 410.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an exemplary variable impedance touch sensor array500, 600, 700 including interlinked impedance columns and interlinkedimpedance rows as well as an exemplary column switching register, rowswitching register, interlinked impedance column, and interlinkedimpedance row. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary variable impedance array510, interlinked impedance columns 520, and interlinked impedance rows530. Here the variable impedance array 510 includes columns 512 and rows513 of an array in which individual variable impedance array elements519 may interconnect within the row/column cross points of the array.These individual variable impedance array elements 519 may compriseactive and/or passive components based on the application context, andinclude any combination of resistive, capacitive, and inductivecomponents. Thus, the variable impedance array 510 array impedanceelements are depicted generically in this diagram as generalizedimpedance values Z.

The physical variable impedance array columns 512 and variable impedancearray rows 513 are connected via interlinked impedance columns 520 andinterlinked impedance rows 530, respectively. The interlinked impedancecolumns 520 and interlinked impedance rows 530 are configured to reducethe number of columns and rows that are connected to the column drivesources 521, 523, 525 and the row sense sinks 531, 533, 535. As such,the combination of the interlinked impedance columns 520 and interlinkedimpedance rows 530 will reduce the external components necessary tointerface to the variable impedance array columns 512 and variableimpedance array rows 513. Within the context of the present invention,the number of interlinked impedance columns 520 interconnects will beconfigured to allow the reduction of the number of column drive sources521, 523, 525 to less than the number of physical variable impedancearray columns 512 (thus the number of external interlinked impedancecolumns is typically less than the number of internal interlinkedimpedance columns columns), and the interlinked impedance rows 530interconnects will be configured to allow the reduction of the number ofrow sense sinks 531, 533, 535 to less than the number of physicalvariable impedance array rows 513 (thus the number of externalinterlinked impedance rows is typically less than the number ofinterlinked impedance rows rows). This reduction is achieved by havingone or more interlinked impedance columns 520 elements 529 in seriesbetween each variable impedance array physical column 512 and one ormore interlinked impedance rows 530 elements 539 between each variableimpedance array physical row 513. Thus, the XXY variable impedance arraysensor 510 is translated to an electrical interface only requiring Pcolumn drivers and Q row sensors. The present invention constrains P≤Xand Q≤Y with many preferred embodiments satisfying the relations X/P≥2or Y/Q≥2.

Note that within the context of these preferred embodiments, there maybe circumstances where the interlinked impedance columns may incorporatea plurality of interlinked impedances with the interlinked impedancerows incorporating a singular interlinked impedance element, andcircumstances where the interlinked impedance columns may incorporate asingular interlinked impedance element with the interlinked impedancerows incorporating a plurality of interlinked impedance elements.

The interlinked impedance columns 520 impedance elements 529 areconfigured to connect individual variable impedance array columns 512.These interlinked impedance columns 520 impedance elements 529 maycomprise active and/or passive components based on the applicationcontext and include any combination of resistive, capacitive, andinductive components. Thus, the interlinked impedance columns 520impedance elements 529 are depicted generically in this diagram asgeneralized impedance values X. As depicted in the diagram, theindividual variable impedance array columns may either be directlydriven using individual column drive sources 521, 523, 525 orinterpolated 522, 524 between these directly driven columns.

The interlinked impedance rows 530 impedance elements 539 are configuredto connect individual variable impedance array rows 513. Theseinterlinked impedance rows 530 impedance elements 539 may compriseactive and/or passive components based on the application context andinclude any combination of resistive, capacitive, and inductivecomponents. Thus, the interlinked impedance rows 530 impedance elements539 are depicted generically in this diagram as generalized impedancevalues Y. As depicted in the diagram, the individual variable impedancearray rows may either be directly sensed using individual row sensesinks 531, 533, 535 or interpolated 532, 534 between these directlysensed rows.

The column drive sources 521, 523, 525 are generically illustrated asbeing independent in this diagram but may be combined in someconfigurations utilizing a series of switches controlled by a columnswitching register that defines the type of column drive source to beelectrically coupled to each column that is externally accessible to thevariable impedance array sensors 510. Variations of AC/DC excitation,voltage sources, open circuits, current sources, and other electricalsource driver combinations may be utilized as switched configurationsfor the column drive sources 521, 523, 525. The column switchingregister may be configured to both select the type of electrical sourceto be applied to the variable impedance array sensors 510 but also itsrelative amplitude/magnitude.

The row sense sinks 531, 533, 535 are generically illustrated as beingindependent in this diagram but may be combined in some configurationsutilizing a series of switches controlled by a row switching registerthat defines the type of row sense sinks to be electrically coupled toeach row that is externally accessible to the variable impedance arraysensors 510. Variations of AC/DC excitation, voltage sources, opencircuits, current sources, and other electrical sense sink combinationsmay be utilized as switched configurations for the row sense sinks 531,533, 535. The row switching register may be configured to both selectthe type of electrical sink to be applied to the variable impedancearray sensors 510, but also its relative amplitude/magnitude.

Further detail of the column switching register and row switchingregister column/row source/sink operation is depicted in FIG. 6 (600)wherein the variable impedance array 610 is interfaced via the use ofthe interlinked impedance columns 612 and interlinked impedance rows 613impedance networks to column drive sources 621, 623, 625 and row sensesinks 631, 633, 635, respectively. The column switching registers 620may comprise a set of latches or other memory elements to configureswitches controlling the type of source drive associated with eachcolumn drive source 621, 623, 625, the amplitude/magnitude of the drivesource, and whether the drive source is activated. Similarly, the rowswitching registers 630 may comprise a set of latches or other memoryelements to configure switches controlling the type of sense sinkassociated with each row sense sink 631, 633, 635, theamplitude/magnitude of the sink, and whether the sink is activated.

As mentioned previously, the interlinked impedance columns 612 andinterlinked impedance rows 613 impedance networks may comprise a widevariety of impedances that may be static or actively engaged by theconfiguration of the column switching register 620 and row switchingregister 630, respectively. Thus, the column switching register 620 androw switching register 630 may be configured in some preferredembodiments to not only stimulate/sense the variable impedance array 610behavior, but also internally configure the interlinked nature of thevariable impedance array 610 by reconfiguring the internal columncross-links and the internal row cross-links. All this behavior can bedetermined dynamically by control logic 640 that may include amicrocontroller or other computing device executing machine instructionsread from a computer-readable medium 644. Within this context, thebehavior of the analog-to-digital (ADC) converter 650 may be controlledin part by the configuration of the column switching register 620 and/orrow switching register 630, as well as the control logic 640. Forexample, based on the configuration of the column switching register 620and row switching register 630, the ADC 650 may be configured forspecific modes of operation that are compatible with the type of sensingassociated with the column switching register 620/row switching register630 setup.

FIG. 7 illustrates 700 an exemplary variable impedance array sensor 710in which the interlinked impedance columns 720 form a reduced electricalinterface to the physical variable impedance array sensor columns 712that comprise the variable impedance array sensor array 710. Similarly,the interlinked impedance rows 730 form a reduced electrical interfaceto the physical variable impedance array sensor rows 713 that comprisethe variable impedance array sensor array 710. Note in this example thatthe number of physical variable impedance array columns 712 need not bethe same as the number of physical variable impedance array rows 713.Furthermore, the number of column interpolation impedance components (X)serially connecting each column of the variable impedance array 710 neednot be equal to the number of row interpolation impedance components (Y)serially connecting each row of the variable impedance array 710. Inother words, the number of interpolated columns 722, 724 need not beequal to the number of interpolated rows 732, 734.

The control logic 740 provides information to control the state of thecolumn switches 721, 723, 725 and row switches 731, 733, 735. The columnswitches 721, 723, 725 define whether the individual variable impedancearray columns are grounded or driven to a voltage potential from avoltage source 727 that may in some embodiments be adjustable by thecontrol logic 740 to allow on-the-fly adjustment 741 which can be usedto compensate for potential non-linearities in the driving electronics.Similarly, the row switches 731, 733, 735 define whether an individualvariable impedance array row is grounded or electrically coupled to thesignal conditioner 760 and associated ADC 750.

In the configuration depicted in FIG. 7, the variable impedance arraysensors 710 comprise uniformly two interpolating impedances between eachcolumn (X) and three interpolating impedances between each row (Y). Thisillustrates the fact that the number of interpolating columns need notequal the number of interpolating rows in a given variable impedancearray. Furthermore, it should be noted that the number of interpolatingcolumns need not be uniform across the variable impedance array, nordoes the number of interpolating rows need be uniform across thevariable impedance array. Each of these parameters may vary in numberacross the variable impedance array.

Note also that the variable impedance array sensors 710 need not haveuniformity within the row or column interpolating impedances and thatthese impedances in some circumstances may be defined dynamically innumber and/or value using MOSFETs or other transconductors. In thisexemplary variable impedance array sensor segment, it can be seen thatone column 723 of the array is actively driven while the remaining twocolumns 721, 725 are held at ground potential. The rows are configuredsuch that one row 733 is being sensed by the signal conditioner 760/ADCcombination 750 while the remaining rows 731, 735 are held at groundpotential.

The processor is communicatively coupled to the sensor array shown inthe Figures and is programmed to receive pressure information from thesensor array. As described above and in the incorporated references, thesensor array is designed to provide a continuous pressure gradient witha high-density array. In the interpolated variable impedance sensorarray, interpolation blocks (interlinked impedance columns andinterlinked impedance rows) allow the variable impedance array sensorsto be scanned at a lower resolution. Because of the configuration of theinterlinked impedance columns and interlinked impedance rows, the sensorhardware can properly down sample the signal in the variable impedancearray (in a linear fashion). As a result, the scanned values in thelower-resolution array (touch sensor matrix) data structure) extractedfrom this variable impedance array sensor data resemble that of alinearly down sampled sensor response. This down sampling allowsreconstruction of the positions, force, shape, and other characteristicsof touches at the resolution of the variable impedance array (and evenpossibly at a higher resolution than the variable impedance array) insoftware.

As an example, on a variable impedance array sensor array constructedwith 177 column electrodes and 97 row electrodes having a 1.25 mm pitch,it could be possible in theory to build electronics with 177 columndrive lines and 97 row sense lines to support sensing of this entirevariable impedance array. However, this would be prohibitive in terms ofcost and it would be very difficult to route that many row and senselines on a conventional printed circuit board in a space efficientmanner. Additionally, this 177×97 variable impedance array sensorconfiguration would require scanning 177×97=17169 intersections, whichwith a low power microcontroller (such as an ARM M3) would result in amaximum scan rate of approximately 10 Hz (which is unacceptably slow fortypical user interaction with a touch screen). Finally, assuming 16-bitADC values, storage for these touch screen values would require17169×2=34 KB of memory for a single frame, an excessive memoryrequirement for small microcontrollers that may only be configured with32 KB of RAM. Thus, the use of conventional row/column touch sensortechnology in this context requires a much more powerful processor andmuch more RAM, which would make this solution too expensive and complexto be practical for a consumer electronics application.

Rather than scanning the exemplary sensor array described above at thefull 177×97 resolution, the system is configured to scan at a lowerresolution but retain the accuracy and quality of the signal as if ithad been scanned at 177×97. The drive electronics on a typical presentinvention embodiment for this sensor array would require only 45 columndrivers and 25 row drivers. The interpolation circuit allows the systemto scan the 177×97 array using only a complement of 45×25 electronics.This cuts the number of intersections that must be scanned down by afactor of 16 to 45×25=1125. This configuration allows scanning thesensor at 150 Hz and reduces memory consumption in a RAM-constrainedmicrocontroller application context. Although the ability to resolve twotouches that are 1.25 mm together (or to see exactly what is happeningat each individual sensor element) is lost, it is still possible totrack a touch at the full resolution of the variable impedance arraysensors because of the linearity of the row/column interpolationperformed by using the (interlinked impedance columns and interlinkedimpedance rows. In some embodiments the grid spacing is less than orequal to 5 mm.

The processor is programed to determine the relative pressure betweenthe two more touches on the sensor array and to associate the patternand pressure response with a gesture. The processor may provide input toa UI of an associated device based on the gesture, pattern, and/orpressure response.

In one embodiment, the processor is programmed to determine if a user isperforming a see-saw pattern on the sensor array by touching the arrayat two or more points and varying the pressure at the two or more pointsin a rocking manner, that is increasing the pressure at one point whilesimultaneously decreasing the pressure at another point. For example,FIG. 8 shows exemplary pressure response curves 800 for the point sets420/421, 520/521, 620/621 in FIGS. 4 through 6 respectively. The curve820 corresponds to the pressure at touch 420, 520, 620 in FIGS. 4through 6 respectively and the curve 821 corresponds to the pressure attouch 421, 521, 621 in FIGS. 4 through 6 respectively. The curves 820,821 illustrate an exemplary pattern in which the pressure at one touchincreases as the other decreases. The second graph 850 in FIG. 8 showsthe curve 855 of the difference between the pressure of each touch inthe touch point sets 420/421, 520/521, 620/621 in FIGS. 4 through 6respectively. In this example, the difference between the two is uses.But the processor may use other mathematical combinations of thepressure data from the two or more points including ratios andmultiples. The pressure response curves 820, 821 illustrated in FIG. 8are only exemplary, and the disclosed systems may accommodate otherpressure response curves such as those 920, 921 shown in FIG. 9.

The process may further be programmed to provide adjustment informationto a coupled device based on the gesture, pattern, and/or pressureresponse. For example, as the user varies the pressure at two or moretouch points in a see-saw gesture, the processor may adjust UI elements(such as brightness, magnification) accordingly. Additionally, theprocessor may cause the UI to scroll, fast forward, or reverse based onthe based on the gesture, pattern, and/or pressure response.Additionally, using multiple touch points, the sensor array andprocessor may be configured to determine the relative orientation offingers as well as the relative pressure allowing multi-dimensionalinput (e.g., scrolling in two dimensions). FIG. 10 illustrates anexample 1000 in which a sensor array 1010 provides multi-dimensionalinput based on the relative location of touches and relative pressure ofthe touches. For example, the processor could be programmed to controlhorizontal scrolling based on the difference in pressure between points1020 and 1030 or between points 1021 and 1031. Alternatively, theprocessor could be programmed to control horizontal scrolling based onsome combination of the difference in pressure between points 1020 and1030 and between points 1021 and 1031. Similarly, the processor could beprogrammed to control vertical scrolling based on the difference inpressure between points 1020 and 1021 or between points 1030 and 1031.Alternatively, the processor could be programmed to control verticalscrolling based on some combination of the difference in pressurebetween points 1020 and 1021 and between points 1030 and 1031.

In another embodiment, the processor is programmed to determine thecontinuous pressure change at one or more point on the sensor array andto cause the UI to provide visual one or more point. For example, abutton on a touch screen may shrink or grow in proportion to the forceapplied. Such feedback may also include highlighting the active displayregions and/or controls (e.g., showing a given 1:1 absolute mapping frompart of the input surface to part of the display surface, a cursor, ahighlighted/selected/active widget or region, etc.). For example, aremote-control touchpad may select an item, and then force manipulationsand/or gestures cause an action with this item with continuous ordiscrete visual feedback showing the user what is happening to whichobject. Feedback may be applied via the cursor itself. For example, thesystem may tilt the cursor with tilt gestures or darken the cursor withgreater force. Alternatively, the process may be programmed to cause theUI to provide audible and/or haptic feedback in proportion to the forceapplied. In one example, haptic or audible feedback helps the user knowthat the indirect manipulation is successful. For the various types offeedback accordingly, the system may provide continuous feedback varyingin the form of duration, intensity, temperature, roughness, friction,surface texture, stiffness, mass/weight, pulse frequency/duration,pitch, timber, stereo and spatial sound position, clip blending, vowel,voice, combinations of these, etc. as well as discrete feedback.

In another embodiment, the processor is programmed to determine if thepressure applied at one or more points exceeds a threshold and thendetermine if the pressure at the one or more points falls below a secondthreshold and to cause the UI to provide feedback (e.g., visual, audio,and/or haptic) after the pressure at the one or more points falls belowthe second threshold. The magnitude (e.g., brightness, duration, size,amplitude) of the feedback may be based on the magnitude of the pressure(e.g., the amount the pressure exceeded the threshold, how quickly thepressure exceeded the threshold, and/or how quickly the pressure fellbelow the second threshold). In one example, the UI may provide a“springy” response that resembles a bounce back after the pressure attouch is released. In another example, the UI may open an item if thepressure on an icon corresponding to the item exceeds a threshold andmay “de-commit” or stop opening the item if the pressure is releasedwithin or exceed a specified time or release rate. In one example, ahard push and release quickly may open the item, but a slow releasewould cause the item to slide back into closed state. In anotherembodiment, the feedback is a graphic effect where the image on thescreen gets distorted when the user touches it (e.g., elastic-likedeformation). Additionally, a touch may cast a virtual shadow in the UI.

The system can provide continuous response and user feedback anddiscontinuous response and user feedback. The system can providecontinuous appearing feedback from a few grams of force to a high levelof force (e.g. maximum voluntary contraction strength of a user), andthe appearance of continuous motion may be defined as meeting thecriteria of creating a Phi phenomenon or Beta movement illusion.Further, the ability to provide feedback from nearly zero grams forceincreases the discoverability of interaction, as users can use theirintuition about the physical world and visual cues as they explore theinterface to discover force-based interactions. The system may includefeedback for hover, press, and/or drag as well as for amount of forcewith tilt, protrusion/depth, shadow, distortion, fill, transparency,peek, and viewport motion (pan, zoom, tilt, perspective).

With the continuous pressure sensing systems and methods disclosedherein, feedback may be provided proportionally to the amount of forceapplied to the sensor array. Accordingly, in one embodiment, theprocessor is programmed to cause the UI to provide feedback proportionalto the pressure at the one or more touch points. For example, the UI maycause objects to start opening and continue opening with more pressurethereby providing visual feedback. And the UI could provide feedback(e.g., visual, audio, haptic) once the object is open. Further, thesystem may be adapted to use the touch pattern as an input. For example,a system may be adapted to determine a gesture for any part of theuser's hand on a trackpad. The system uses the unique force image of apart of the hand (sometimes in relation to the pattern of the rest ofthe hand on the trackpad). Variations in pressure and location of atouch applied by the part of the hand are used as control signals. Thesystem may also be configured to determine a touch pattern of multipleparts of a user's hand(s). Also, a pattern determined by the system caninclude a pattern of force variation or a pattern in time.

In another embodiment, the system uses a combination of (1) the touchpattern (the size, shape, and number) of the one or more points incontact with the sensor array instantaneously and/or over time togetherwith (2) the pressure at the one or more touch points instantaneouslyand/or over time. The combination of these inputs is used to provideinput to the processor and UI of a coupled device. FIG. 11 illustratesexamples of how the touch pattern may change over time. At one instant,the touch pattern 1100 on a sensor array of a thumb 1101, index finger1102, middle finger 1103, ring finger 1104, and pinky finger 1105 isshown. At another instant in time, the user may pick up the pinky finger1105 and ring finger 1104 leaving a touch pattern 1110 distinct from thefirst. Similarly, the user may roll his or her fingers causing moresurface of the fingers to be in contact with the sensor array creating atouch pattern 1120 with more elongated contact surfaces 1121, 1122,1123. In some embodiments, the system is adapted to use the touchpattern of the palm of a hand as an input. For example, an increase inthe force of a user's palm is an input that could be used alone and/orin combination with other touch patterns to initiate a command orfunction.

For example, one finger may apply a heavier force and another finger hasa lighter force. The finger with the heavier force may be assigned to anaction to hold an object and the finger with the lighter force may beassigned to move the background around the held object. In oneapplication for instance, a user may press hard on a photo to select itand then use a light touch with another finger to move it around a mapor gallery. In another example, the system uses the combination of forcepattern at one or more locations with the changes in force patterns todetermine motion such as rotation and/or the number of touch points(e.g., two fingers or three fingers).

FIG. 12 illustrates the pressure at the one or more touch pointsinstantaneously and over time. In the example shown in FIG. 12, thethree curves 1201, 1202, 1203 correspond to the thumb 1101, index finger1102, and middle finger 1103 touch points in FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, thepressure at time to on each of the thumb 1101, index finger 1102, andmiddle finger 1103 touch points is approximately equal. Thereafter, thepressure on the thumb 1101 increases (as shown in curve 1201) while thepressure on the other two finger remains fairly constant. Accordingly,at time t₁, the pressure on the thumb has increased but the pressure onthe other two fingers is about the same as at t₀. Thereafter, thepressure on the index finger 1102 increases and at time t₂, the pressureon the thumb 1101 and index finger 1102 is increased but the pressure onthe middle finger is approximately the same as at t₀. Thereafter, thepressure on the thumb 1101 decreases and the pressure on the indexfinger 1102 and middle finger 1103 increase. At time t₃, the pressure atall three points is elevated over time t₀, but the pressure on the thumb1101 is decreasing. As shown, the pressures on the three fingers riseand fall in sequence corresponding to a rolling or wave patter from thethumb 1101 to the index finger 1102 to the middle finger 1102. Thesystems disclosed herein may use a pressure patter such as thatillustrated in FIG. 12 to provide input to the processor and UI of acoupled device. And the systems disclosed herein may use the combinationof (1) the touch pattern (the size, shape, and number) of the one ormore points in contact with the sensor array instantaneously and/or overtime together with (2) the pressure at the one or more touch pointsinstantaneously and/or over time to provide input to the processor andUI of a coupled device. And the systems disclosed herein may beconfigured to provide feedback (e.g., visual, audio, haptic) based onthe combination of (1) the touch pattern (the size, shape, and number)of the one or more points in contact with the sensor arrayinstantaneously and/or over time together with (2) the pressure at theone or more touch points instantaneously.

For example, the processor and UI may be configured to show a number ofwindows based on the pressure, number, and/or pattern of touches. Anddifferent fingers or body parts with varying levels of force can be usedto create different actions in the UI. Various different input touchesmay include: knocking on a surface like a door, licking it, elbowing it,breathing on it, rolling a hand across it, laying a hand on it,sculpting it like clay, spiraling with progressive force, rubbing it bysetting fingertips then moving arm, finger tapping from pinky topointer, touching with knuckle(s), touching with elbow(s), touching witha phalanx (or phalanges), scratching (small area with high force). Inone embodiment, the system uses the pressure pattern to determine theuser has laid the side of the user's face on the interface (as if theuser is laying down to sleep). The system may use that input to cause anassociated action such as putting the device to sleep or otherwisechanging its power state.

In one example shown in FIG. 13, a user may rap on a touch interface ofa device 1310 with one or more knuckles (e.g., like knocking on a door).The one or more knuckles make contact 1320, 1321, 1322, 1323, 1324 withthe touch sensor array. A knock is high force tap. The system uses thehigh force characteristics to distinguish knocking from other touches.In one example, the knocking gesture may be used to control an interfacemounted in a car, for example with a navigation application. One suchgesture could re-center a navigation screen with one ore more knucklesor take the user to list of directions or let the user look ahead (e.g.,at the next 15 minutes of driving) by zooming appropriately.

Additionally, a tapping or pounding gesture could be used for othercommands such as those used in unusual situations. For example, thesegestures could be used to dial 911 or dispatch emergency response (e.g.,dial 911 if the user knocks on the screen three times within a giventime period or if the user knocks or pounds on the device repeatedly).

Another example is a kneading pattern of multiple fingers pushing in andout with translating horizontally or vertically on the sensor array.Similarly, a wave pattern of four fingers touching the sensor array andusing rolling amount of pressure without translating horizontally orvertically on the sensor array. Further, pressure with two fingers maycorrespond to one command but pressing harder on one or the other maycorrespond to a different command. In another example, the combinationof (1) the touch pattern (the size, shape, and number) of the one ormore points in contact with the sensor array instantaneously and/or overtime together with (2) the pressure at the one or more touch pointsinstantaneously may be used to activate different layers used inprograms or visual layers in the UI.

Additional examples gestures include moving a thumb in a circle to undo,redo and/or zoom in and out. Such gestures enable a user to do as muchas possible on device with one or both hands. Further, as describedabove, patterns with force can be used for additional gestures such as(1) with little force, a regular touch is applied and (2) with pressure,the user's gestures like circle scrolling, or swiping are caused to dodifferent things. Also, a deep click may be linked to scroll and/or pan.The system may also detect the torque in finger motion and use that as agesture input. In one example, a user's wavering motion in the finger isused to modulate the response (e.g., waver up and down (north to south)to change scroll direction). And in one example, while an item isselected, a swirling motion with one or more points in contact with thedevice may be used to delete the selected item.

Additionally, the disclosed systems are used to recreate existing deviceinteractions. For instance, the user may place his or her hand on thesensor array as if holding a mouse. The hand movements on the sensor maybe used to move the cursor. A tap from the index finger may correspondto a left click, and a tap from the middle finger may correspond to aright click. Multiple fingers together could move the scroll wheel.

Additionally, one or more of the surfaces of a device may be used as apointing or typing input for the device (e.g., when both hands areplaced on the interface) the device enters a typing mode). For example,FIG. 14 illustrates a touch surface 1410 that may enter a typing modewhen a pattern corresponding to two hands 1411, 1412 are placed on thetouch surface 1410. Additionally, the gesture input signals generated(including pattern and pressure) may be combined with signals from othersensors in the device (e.g., motion sensors, acoustic sensors) todetermine corresponding gestures (e.g., a hard grasp combined with rapidfalling may indicate a drop or a hard grasp with rapid shaking maycorrespond to a specific control signal). In some embodiments, when thesystem enters a typing mode, a virtual keyboard is displayed on a screencommunicatively coupled to the touch surface 1410. The coupled displaymay be integral with the touch surface 1410 (e.g., a touch display) orit may be external to the touch surface 1410.

In one example, the touch surface is the surface of a laptop (A-, B-, orC-top surface). In an example in which the touch surface is integratedin the C-top of a laptop, placing fingers in a touch pattern (e.g., astandard typing hand arrangement) on the surface causes the surface todisplay a virtual keyboard. The surface may also change to otherinterfaces based on the touch pattern on the touch surface (touching thetouch surface with a hand in a shape used for a physical computer mousewould cause a virtual mouse or cursor to be displayed or holding a handin a writing position would cause a virtual pen or stylus to bedisplayed). Alternatively, the laptop may display the virtual keyboardon the B-top display integrated in the laptop. The virtual keyboard mayprovide visual feedback by illuminating each key as it is touched thevirtual keyboard.

In one embodiment, a touch surface system is adapted to determinepatterns of objects placed on the touch surface. For example, a touchsurface on a countertop may determine the touch pattern of objectsplaced on the countertop. In one example, the touch pattern caused bycertain type of plate or bowl causes a scale to appear on an integratedor external display showing the corresponding weight. Similarly, thetouch surface system may be adapted to determine the touch pattern ofother objects with pre-determined shapes, for example, circles or starsor squares. The touch surface system is adapted to determine the touchpattern created by the shapes under their own weight when placed on thetouch surface and/or when additional pressure is applied to the shapes.The system is adapted to cause a specific function or control based onthe touch pattern corresponding to each shape. The system may be adaptedto respond to touch patterns of other objects such as beverage bottlesor cans. And as the pressure pattern changes over time, the system maybe adapted to change control signals. In some embodiments, specialobjects or tools are provided to the user. In other embodiments, thetouch pattern of objects is programmed into or learned by the system. Inthat way, users may program function(s) to one or more object orcombination of objects.

The touch surface may be adapted to respond to touch patternsdifferently based on the area of the touch surface in which the touchpattern is located. For example, areas around an object (for which thetouch pattern is recognized) on the surface may get special interactivemeanings. For example, if a user puts down a pencil and touches on theleft side of the touch surface, color controls are activated. And if theuser puts down the pencil and touches the right side of the touchsurface, dimensional controls are activated. As with other embodiments,the touch surface may be integrated with a display such that thecontrols are displayed at a specific location on the display (e.g., atthe point the user touches after putting down the pencil).

FIG. 15 illustrates an example in which a touch surface 1510 is used tocontrol a remote display 1500. The touch surface 1510 may also comprisea display of its own. As discussed above, one example is that of thetouch surface 1510 being the C-top surface of a laptop and the display1500 being the B-top display of a laptop. In one embodiment, the touchsurface 1510 has specific controls (e.g., a keyboard, piano) in whichthe system is context aware. When the user is editing a text field, thesystem should display appropriate keyboard on the display 1500 ordisplay integrated into the touch surface 1510. When a user is in apiano or music application, the system displays piano keys on thedisplay 1500 or display integrated into the touch surface 1510. When theuser is in a video editing app, the system displays a specific controlfor video editing on the display 1500 or display integrated into thetouch surface 1510. Additionally, users can create their own customcontrol panels for each application.

In some embodiments, user interaction with the touch surface 1510 isused to open applications and/or unlock applications. For example,gesture of turning, pushing and/or pulling (like turning a knob to opena door) corresponds to opening or closing an application. Additionally,touch force patterns can be used to lock and/or unlock devices and/orapplications.

Moreover, the interpolated variable impedance touch sensor arrays may beused to detect pressure patterns that may damage the device. Using thisinput, the system may alarm if a user acts in a way that would damagethe device. And the system may detect when the device is bent and/orunder strain.

The gestures described can be used for multiple controls as describedabove and including (but not limited to) switching applications, goingto a home screen, applying custom presets, going back, going forward,zooming, operating the camera (e.g., using side pressure input to makeselfies and pictures easier), changing volume, and/or changingbrightness.

FIG. 16 shows a laptop 1600 with a trackpad 1610 incorporating anexemplary interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array. Asdiscussed above, in some embodiments, a laptop 1600 may include one ormore touch surfaces, including in which the touch surface is the surfaceof a laptop (A-, B-, or C-top surface). In an example in which the touchsurface is integrated in the C-top of a laptop, placing fingers in atouch pattern (e.g., a standard typing hand arrangement) on the surfacecauses the surface to display a virtual keyboard. In the example shownin FIG. 16, the trackpad 1610 is incorporated as shown.

In the illustrated example and with many conventional laptops, space islimited for the trackpad 1610. Accordingly, it is advantageous to usethe space allotted for the trackpad 1610 efficiently. In one example,the interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array trackpad 1610 isfor one hand use and is primarily designed for use with the pointerfinger and thumb of one hand. A sample gesture for this configuration isrotating the pointer and thumb around each other to cause the associatedcommand (e.g., rotating an object on the screen 1611).

The additional dimensions of force enabled by the interpolated variableimpedance touch sensor arrays make small trackpads 1610 more useful byproviding for more input combinations in the small area provided. In oneexample, the magnitude of the force applied at one or more points on thetrackpad 1610 is used as a control signal for the laptop 1600. Forexample, the magnitude of the force applied could control the speed ofscrolling or moving the cursor. A light touch on the trackpad 1610 maycause the computer to move the cursor faster, whereas applying morepressure may enable finer-grain control. Additionally, the cursor couldbegin to move more slowly or more quickly when the trackpad senses ahigher force (for precision selection). In some examples, the trackpad1610 act like a hybrid of trackpad-style and trackpoint-style inputdevice. The trackpad 1610 has the freedom of motion of a trackpad (andthe ability to click and point with one finger), but the compactness ofa trackpoint. The system may incorporate different modes based on themagnitude of the applied force such as a deep (hard) click correspondsto a fast mode with an additional click enabling a precision mode. Othercombinations of force gestures as described above may be used to enableand/or change modes. Similarly, the force applied can change the speedor change the volume and speed in application such as text to speechapplications.

To further utilize the space available on the trackpad 1610, thelocation of the force interaction on the trackpad 1610 may be anadditional input. For example, a hard press on the left edge of thetrackpad 1610 may correspond to a command (e.g., go to the previousapp.). And a hard press on the right edge of the trackpad 1610 maycorrespond to a command (e.g., go to the next app.). Further, a hardpress on the top may correspond to a command (e.g., show all apps.).Similarly, a hard press on the bottom may correspond to a command (e.g.,to left or right click (as usual)).

The interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array in the trackpad1610 also enables force continuation for both scrolling and pointing.For example, if a user reaches the edge of the trackpad (or is within athreshold distance of the edge) while moving the cursor, the system usesthe force inputs to determine what to do. For example, if the userapplies more pressure after reaching the edge of the trackpad 1610, thesystem may cause the cursor to continue moving in the last trajectory orswitch to a “trackpoint mode” in which the user can continue to move thecursor without moving his or her finger a substantial amount. Thissystem could help significantly with click-and-drag commands.

In addition to the magnitude of the applied force at one or more pointsacting as an input (e.g., to control speed), the force may be used to“lock” a drag mode on (for dragging an object on the screen 1611). Forexample, a touch can be used for scrolling and navigation after a forcetouch (exceeding a certain threshold) is received and then a secondforce touch (exceeding a certain threshold the same or different fromthe previous threshold) may be used to disable or “unlock” the dragmode. The system may provide visual feedback (e.g., a lock icon aroundthe pointer) when the specific modes are enabled. With editing likephoto editing, the system allows a crop mode using the trackpad 1610 bya drawing gesture with a force pattern with one or more fingers.Additionally, the magnitude of a force touch on the touchpad 1610 may beused a control input to indicate the user's reaction (positive ornegative) to something displayed on the screen 1611 or an action thelaptop 1610 takes. For example, a user may push hard on the trackpad1610 in reaction to things the user likes and lightly in reaction tothings the user does not like. For example, in reaction to a profile ina dating application, the user could indicate his or her reaction withthe magnitude of the force touch. Similarly, the system may use forcepatterns over time to determine the user's reaction. For example, alightly drawn smiley face pattern may indicate mild approval where aheavier drawn smiley face indicates more approval. The same could beapplied with gestures like a sad face in which the magnitude of theforce correlates to the level of displeasure.

The system also may use the magnitude of the force touch to select whichmenus appear. For example, a first force pattern may pull up a primarymenu and a second force pattern may select from the menu or navigatethrough the menu. And as disclosed, the magnitude of the force may be aninput such that a combination of light tap followed by a hard tap is oneinput and a hard tap followed by a light tap is a separate input.Additionally, a detected pressure pattern may correspond to the commandto move the cursor to the nearest control.

The system may use special gestures for trackpads 1610 such as a zigzaggesture. In one example, the touch pattern is a zigzag gesture moving upand down on the trackpad 1610. The system uses the magnitude of theforce touch at various portions of the gesture pattern. For example, alight force throughout the pattern may correspond to one command whereasa heavy force throughout may correspond to another command. Similarly,combinations of forces throughout the gesture and the variation of forcemay be used to determine specific force patterns to correlate tospecific commands. The zigzag force pattern gesture may be used forcommands such as initiating a music player, a video game, a favoritewebsite, plays a sound, etc. Other gestures that have real-wordconnotations may also be used. For example, a diagonal swipe on thetrackpad 1610 (in a painting gesture) may (based on the pressure patternapplied) correspond to filling an area with color or erasing an area orclearing all windows off a screen. Similarly, a whole hand swipe gesturemay be used to clear all windows where the user lays a hand flat on thetrackpad 1610 and swipes left or right. This gesture is advantageousbecause it is easier for the system to distinguish than a single fingergesture. Further, swiping left and right could have different meanings.

Further, the system may be adapted to use the touch pattern of thethumb(s) as an input. For example, a system may be adapted to determinea gesture for the side of a user's thumb on a trackpad 1610. The systemuses the unique force image of a thumb (sometimes in relation to thepattern of the rest of the hand on the trackpad 1610). Variations inpressure and location of a touch applied by the thumb are used ascontrol signals. For example, a thumb touch could cause all the windowsto pop up (similar to alt-tab in a Windows operating system), and theamount of pressure in the applied thumb pressure could cause the systemto scroll through the open programs (e.g., move forward by busing harderthan the initial thumb touch). The system may also be configured todetermine a touch pattern of both of a user's thumbs. For example,swiping both thumbs on the trackpad 1610 may correspond to a scrollbased on the direction of the swipe. And a hard-quick touch of the thumbcould be used for an editing feature such as incremental selection ordeletion.

As an alternative to thumbs, the system can also detect the flat part offingers. If a user lays his or her flat on the trackpad 1610, that is aunique gesture corresponding to a command.

The interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array may be used fordiagnostics of the trackpad 1610. The system may record the actions on atrackpad and use the pressure and pattern information for diagnostics.The system may record the area(s) touched and/or the sharpness of theforce being applied over time. If there is a change or degradation inthe force and/or patterns input over long periods of time, the systemcan use this also to compensate for and/or detect failures.

Additionally, the interpolated variable impedance touch sensor array maybe used for security with the trackpad 1610. For example, the system maydetermine a touch pattern (e.g., dot/dash Morse Code-type pattern) inputon the trackpad 1610. This force input and/or touch pattern may be usedto lock or unlock the laptop 1600 or applications or functions on thelaptop. In some examples, the combination of rhythm, number of touches,force, and location are used to create unique touch patternscorresponding to strong “passwords” to access the laptop 1600 and/orapplications using the laptop 1610.

In the present specification, the term “or” is intended to mean aninclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specifiedotherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to meanany of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; Xemploys B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” issatisfied under any of the foregoing instances. Moreover, articles “a”and “an” as used in this specification and annexed drawings shouldgenerally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwiseor clear from context to be directed to a singular form.

In addition, the terms “example” and “such as” are utilized herein tomean serving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as an “example” or referred to in connection with a“such as” clause is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the terms“example” or “such as” is intended to present concepts in a concretefashion. The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used inthe claims and description, unless otherwise clear by context, is forclarity only and does not necessarily indicate or imply any order intime.

What has been described above includes examples of one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. It is, of course, not possible todescribe every conceivable combination of components or methodologiesfor purposes of describing these examples, and it can be recognized thatmany further combinations and permutations of the present embodimentsare possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/or claimedherein are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications andvariations that fall within the spirit and scope of the detaileddescription and the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that theterm “includes” is used in either the detailed description or theclaims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to theterm “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as atransitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laptop touchpad system for detecting acontinuous pressure curve for a touch comprising: a plurality ofphysical variable impedance array (VIA) columns connected by interlinkedimpedance columns; a plurality of physical VIA rows connected byinterlinked impedance rows; a plurality of column drive sourcesconnected to the interlinked impedance columns and to the plurality ofphysical VIA columns through the interlinked impedance columns; aplurality of row sense sinks connected to the interlinked impedance rowsand to the plurality of physical VIA rows through the interlinkedimpedance rows; and a processor configured to interpolate the continuouspressure curve in the physical VIA columns and physical VIA rows from anelectrical signal from the plurality of column drive sources sensed atthe plurality of row sense sinks.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein theprocessor is configured to detect two or more touches at a first time,determine that the two or more touches at the first time are arranged ina pattern corresponding to a predetermined gesture, determine a relativepressure between the two or more touches from the electrical signal fromthe plurality of column drive sources sensed at the plurality of rowsense sinks, and associate the continuous pressure curve with a userinterface (UI) element, the UI element accepting an adjustment inputbased on the relative pressure between the two or more touches, andprovide a confirming input to the UI element based on the relativepressure between the two or more touches.
 3. The system of claim 2wherein the processor is configured to determine a pressure responsefrom the electrical signal from the plurality of column drive sourcessensed at the plurality of row sense sinks.
 4. The system of claim 3wherein the processor is configured to provide adjustment information toa coupled laptop based on a location of the pattern corresponding to thepredetermined gesture and pressure response.
 5. The system of claim 1wherein the processor is configured to resize a user interface (UI)element proportionally to the continuous pressure curve.
 6. The systemof claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to determine that thetouch is a high force tap corresponding to a knuckle tap from thecontinuous pressure curve.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein theprocessor is configured to determine that the touch is a kneadingpattern of multiple fingers pushing in and out with translatinghorizontally or vertically on the sensor array from the continuouspressure curve.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor isconfigured to detect two or more touches at a first time and determine arelative pressure between the two or more touches from the electricalsignal from the plurality of column drive sources sensed at theplurality of row sense sinks.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein theprocessor is configured to determine a relative orientation of aplurality of fingers from the electrical signal from the plurality ofcolumn drive sources sensed at the plurality of row sense sinks and arelative pressure applied by the plurality of fingers from theelectrical signal from the plurality of column drive sources sensed atthe plurality of row sense sinks.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein theprocessor is configured to determine a continuous pressure change at oneor more points on the sensor array from the electrical signal from theplurality of column drive sources sensed at the plurality of row sensesinks and to cause a user interface (UI) element to provide visualfeedback based on the continuous pressure at the one or more points. 11.The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to determine apattern of touches of one or more points in contact with the sensorpanel instantaneously or over time and to determine a pressure at theone or more points in contact with the sensor panel instantaneously orover time.
 12. A method for receiving an adjustment gesture formed on orabout a plurality of sensor panels on a plurality of faces of a devicecomprising: detecting two or more touches at a first time at theplurality of sensor panels; determining that the two or more touches atthe first time are arranged in a pattern corresponding to apredetermined gesture; determining a relative pressure between the twoor more touches; associating the predetermined gesture with a userinterface (UI) element, the UI element accepting an adjustment inputbased on the relative pressure between the two or more touches; andproviding an input to the UI element based on the predetermined gestureand relative pressure between the two or more touches.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 wherein each of the plurality of sensor panels comprise: aplurality of physical VIA columns connected by interlinked impedancecolumns; a plurality of physical VIA rows connected by interlinkedimpedance rows; a plurality of column drive sources connected to theinterlinked impedance columns and to the plurality of physical VIAcolumns through the interlinked impedance columns; a plurality of rowsense sinks connected to the interlinked impedance rows and to theplurality of physical VIA rows through the interlinked impedance rows;and a processor configured to interpolate a location of thepredetermined gesture in the physical VIA columns and physical VIA rowsfrom an electrical signal from the plurality of column drive sourcessensed at the plurality of row sense sinks.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein the processor is configured to resize a user interface (UI)element proportionally to the relative pressure between the two or moretouches.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the processor is configuredto determine that the two or more touches are high force tapscorresponding to knuckle taps.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein theprocessor is configured to determine that the two or more touches are akneading pattern of multiple fingers pushing in and out with translatinghorizontally or vertically on the sensor array.
 17. The method of claim13 wherein the processor is configured to determine a pressure responsefrom the electrical signal from the plurality of column drive sourcessensed at the plurality of row sense sinks.
 18. The method of claim 17wherein the processor is configured to provide adjustment information toa coupled laptop based on the location of the predetermined gesture andpressure response.
 19. The method of claim 12 wherein the processor isconfigured to determine a pattern of touches of one or more points incontact with the plurality of sensor panels instantaneously or over timeand to determine a pressure at the one or more points in contact withthe sensor panel instantaneously or over time.
 20. A method forreceiving an adjustment gesture formed on or about a plurality of sensorpanels on a plurality of faces of a laptop, the method comprising:detecting two or more touches at a first time at the plurality of sensorpanels; determining that the two or more touches at the first time arearranged in a pattern corresponding to a predetermined gesture;determining a relative pressure between the two or more touches;associating the predetermined gesture with a user interface (UI) elementof the laptop, the UI element accepting an adjustment input based on therelative pressure between the two or more touches.